COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., August 14, 2015…The City of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain (PPAM), in partnership with Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) and U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (U.S. Army), are proposing to redesign and reconstruct the existing Pikes Peak Summit Complex located in the Pike National Forest in El Paso County, Colorado. The U.S. Forest Service (Forest Service), Pikes Peak Ranger District, is the federal lead agency for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider and disclose the environmental effects of redesigning and constructing the Pikes Peak Summit Complex. The Forest Service is soliciting comments from Federal, State, and local agencies, and other individuals or organizations that may be interested in or affected by implementation of the proposed project.

The partnering agencies are hosting an open house on August 25, 2015 from 3 to 7 pm at Library 21c (Venue @21c) located at 1175 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. Interested parties are invited to stop by anytime during the open house to review background information, understand ways to provide input throughout the process, and identify key issues to be analyzed in the EA. Input provided by interested and/or affected individuals, organizations, and governmental agencies will be used to identify resource issues that will be analyzed in the EA. Representatives of the project proponents, along with team members of the Summit Complex redesign team, a parallell process to design the facilities, will be present to address questions related to these processes.

The 30-day scoping comment period will be initiated on August 21, 2015 and will end on September 21, 2015. The purpose of this comment period is to provide an opportunity for the public to provide early and meaningful participation on a proposed action prior to a decision being made.

About the Project:

The City, PPAM, U.S. Army, and CSU are requesting approval to design and construct three facilities

on two building sites on the summit of Pikes Peak as accepted by the Forest Service in a letter dated April 16, 2014. Connected to the proposal and integral to the proposed project is decommissioning and removing the existing facilities, building new facilities designed specifically for the Pikes Peak summit use objectives and environment, restoring disturbed sites to native tundra, protecting heritage resources, and enhancing visitor experiences above the 14,000-foot contour.

The proposed action is to redesign and construct a new Summit Complex, consisting of PPAM’s Summit Visitors Center on one site and to consolidate the City’s Plant Building, CSU’s Communications Facility, and the U.S. Army’s High-Altitude Research Laboratory (HARL) on the second site. Although separate facilities, the City’s Plant, CSU’s communications tower, and U.S. Army’s HARL, will be designed to give the appearance of one facility.

The draft EA is expected to be issued for public review in spring of 2016, and the final EA is expected to be issued in the fall of 2016.

How to Comment:

Written, facsimile, hand-delivered, oral, and electronic comments concerning this action will be accepted for 30 calendar days following the publication of notice in Pueblo Chieftain (paper of record) and The Gazette newspapers. There will also be opportunity to comment at the open house. Comments must be received by September 21, 2015.

Photos of the blowdown that took placeTuesdayafternoon on the South Platte Ranger District. Currently, the Devils Head Fire Tower, campground, trailhead and picnic ground on the Pike National Forest are all closed until further notice for public safety. The gate is locked a the Devils Head turnoff and the public is reminded to stay out of the closed area.Forest managers are assessing the damage from this tornado and the Pike Hotshots are working to remove downed trees and dangerous snags. The blowdown covers approximately six aces of aspen, spruce and Douglas-fir. There is no estimate as to when this area in Douglas County will re-open to the public.

MORRISON, Colo.,June 25, 2015- The Pike National Forest – South Platte Ranger District today opened six recreation sites along the South Platte River, north of Deckers, Colorado.The open facilities include: Bridge Crossing, Scraggy View and Willow Bend Picnic Areas as well as Ouzel, Osprey and Platte River Campgrounds. Anglers and other visitors in the area should use extreme caution near the riverbanks.Follow us on Twitter at: PSICC_NF

FAIRPLAY, CO., June 25, 2015 – The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Pike National Forest-South Park Ranger District continues to experience high water flows in the South Platte River within Eleven Mile Canyon. These conditions require that access to the South Platte River and all Forest Service campgrounds within Eleven Mile Canyon remain temporarily closed to public use until further notice.The emergency closure includes: Cove Campground (CG), Spillway CG, Springer Gulch CG, Riverside CG, Happy Meadows CG, Obrien Gulch Picnic Area (PA), Eleven Mile PA, Messenger Gulch PA, Idlewild PA and the Eleven Mile Fishing Area. These sites will remain closed until further notice.Concerns over public safety, road and bridge conditions require this closure to remain in place.The Forest Service is monitoring the situation continuously and facilities will be re-opening when it is safe to re-enter.There are limited campground opportunities near Woodland Park at: Colorado, South Meadows or Painted Rocks Campgrounds may have campsites available.Also, near Jefferson at: Kenosha Pass, Timberline, Jefferson Creek, Aspen and Lodgepole Campgrounds. Make reservations through www.recreation.gov. You may also consider a free but more rugged dispersed camping experience.While we understand the confusion and inconvenience this closure creates, your safety is our primary concern in making this decision.Additional information is available by calling the South Park Ranger District at 719-836-2031.Follow us on Twitter at: PSICC_NF

FAIRPLAY, CO.,February 12, 2015– The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Pike National Forest-South Park Ranger District has found it necessary to close all facilities at the Wilkerson Pass Visitor Centerlocated between Lake George and Hartsel in Park County. Repairs to the restrooms will be completed as soon as possible. In addition, the gate into the Visitor Center will remain closed. It is uncertain when the facilities will reopen.According to South Park Ranger Josh Voorhis, “We understand that Wilkerson Pass Visitor Center is a popular tourist rest stop and closing it indefinitely has an impact on our public. We ask for your patience as we determine the extent of the necessary facility repairs.”More information is available by calling the South Park Ranger District at719-836-2031.Follow us on Twitter @ PSICC_NF

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., February 5, 2015…The Pike National Forest - Pikes Peak Ranger District is temporarily closing a portion of Rampart Range Road (NFSR 300) for the winter. The seasonal closure will be in effect until April 1, 2015. Rampart Range Road will be closed from Garden of the Gods Park to Rampart Reservoir. This seasonal closure applies only to motorized vehicles which includes off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles. Non-motorized uses such as hiking, biking and skiing on the road are allowed. However, people who enter on foot should be aware that some areas within the Waldo Canyon Burn Area remain closed to public access for resource protection. This includes the area between Rampart Range Road and U.S. Highway 24. Information boards with maps are posted at entry points to the area.This portion of Rampart Range Road will be closed for public safety. There is no plowing or winter maintenance and the road surface can vary from snow packed and icy to deep snow and areas of significant drifting. Unsuspecting drivers often leave the city on dry roads and in less than an hour find themselves at over 8000 feet with unplowed and drifted snow on the road surface. The winter seasonal closure will be effective annually from December 1 through April 1. For additional questions, please call the Pikes Peak District Office at719-636-1602.Follow us on Twitter: @PSICC_NF

The South Park Ranger District (Fairplay area) will begin a Christmas Bird Count this weekend utilizing volunteers to count all birds that are viewed. This is an annual Colorado project but new to Fairplay. The Christmas Bird Count is a century-old tradition that began December 25, 1900. (see documents in readers below)

MORRISON, CO – Sept. 9, 2014… The Pike National Forest - South Platte Ranger District is temporarily closing the Devil’s Head Fire Lookout tower and stairway from September 9 - 12 for public safety during construction. In order for this work to be completed safely, it is necessary to close the stairway and the Lookout to members of the public during the course of this work in Douglas County. There is not adequate room for the contractors performing this work and the public to concurrently occupy the premises during the contract performance period. New installation includes upgrades to the lightning protection and electrical service and grounding systems on the tower and stairway leading to the tower. These upgrades are designed to improve safety. PSICC Order 2014-15 prohibits going into or being upon any area which is closed for the protection of public health and safety.

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The Salmon River Mountain Press shares news from federal and state natural resource agencies, environmental, conservation and recreation groups in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The blog delivers the content one news story at a time.